Supreme Court Slams Buhari Over Acts inimical to Democracy

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has chided President Muhmmadu Buhari for, according to it, acts inimical to democracy.

It also slammed the federal government for what it describes as a unilateral introduction of a key policy without consulting key stakeholders.

Mentioning such key holders as the Council of States, the Federal Executive Council, the National Security Council, the National Economic Council and Civil Society Organisations, it nullified the ban on the use of the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes as valid legal tenders by the Federal Government.

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The apex court made these submissions in a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel of Justices, holding that the old banknotes should remain in use until December 31.

It held that the old Naira notes should be used alongside the redesigned currencies, until the end of the year.

While accusing President Buhari of disobeying the interim order it made on February 8, which directed that the old banknotes remain in use till the determination of the case before it, the apex court stressed that the President, by going ahead to ban the old banknotes, stood accused of acts inimical to democracy.

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According to the court, having acted in disobedience to its order, FG, lost its right to be granted audience before it.

In its lead judgement that was prepared and delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court slammed FG for unilaterally introducing the demonetisation policy, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), without consulting relevant bodies.

it mentioned the relevant bodies to include the Council of States, the Federal Executive Council, the National Security Council, the National Economic Council, Civil Society Organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

“I agree with the plaintiffs that the 1st Defendant ought not to have been heard by this court when he refused to respect the authority of this court and the authority of the law from which the authority of the President and government of Nigeria thrives.

“The rule of law upon which our democratic government is founded becomes illusion if the President of the country or any other authority or person refuses to obey the orders of court”.

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“Disobedience of orders of court by the President is a sign of failure of the Constitution”, the apex court held, describing it as attempt to sacrifice democratic governance on the alter of autocracy.

By failing to give valid notice to all federating units on such a sensitive matter before going ahead to implement it, the federal government acted in a manner inimical to democracy, the court held.

According to it, evidence before it established that a purported notice on the monetary policy was through “mere press remarks” by the governor of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, and that such remarks did not qualify as “reasonable notice” to the states as envisaged under section 20(3) of the CBN Act.